Celtic Odyssey

Mark 9.38-50 (MSG; adapted): 1 38 John spoke up, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t in our group.” 39-41 Jesus wasn’t pleased. “Don’t stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice. 42 “On the other hand, if you give one of these simple, childlike believers a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with an anchor around your neck. 43-48 “If your hand or your foot gets in God’s way, chop it off and throw it away. You’re better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owner of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of unquenchable fire. And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. Yo...

Mark 9:30-37 (MSG; adapted): 1 30-32 Leaving there, they went through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know their whereabouts, for he wanted to teach his disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed to some people who want nothing to do with God. They’ll murder him. Three days after his murder, he will rise, alive.” They didn’t know what he was talking about, but were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was safe at home, he asked them, “What were you discussing on the road?” 34 The silence was deafening — they had been arguing with one another over who among them was greatest. 35 He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.” 36-37 He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, “Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me — God who sent me.” Other readings: Jeremiah 11.18...

Mark 8:27-38 (MSG; adapted): 1 27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?” 28 “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’” 29 He then asked, “And you — what are you saying about me? Who am I?” Peter gave the answer: “You’re the Christ, the Messiah.” 30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It’s necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it. 32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how ...

If you’ve read this blog for some time, you’ll know that I’m a “wet shaver.” That is, I shave with a traditional double-edge (DE) safety razor; the kind your Grandfather (or Father) shaved with. I’ve been shaving with these types of razors for years now and I won’t be going back to any other type of razor. They offer the best, most comfortable, most affordable, eco-friendly way to shave. 1 The whole shaving process is very calming to me. 2 Taking out some shaving soap or cream and putting in the scuttle. Getting the brush wet and working the soap or cream into a lather. Applying the lather to my face and completing a “pass” with the razor and blade. Repeat the application and complete at least one more pass. Cleaning up my gear. And finally applying the post-shave products — witch hazel (most times), aftershave tonic, aftershave balm, and finally cologne. As I said, the whole process is very relaxing and a great way to start the day. 3 In the first part of this post I want to...